Liverpool face a pivotal weekend in the Premier League, with Hugo Ekitike’s inclusion in France’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers offering a potential boost ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old striker, who made his senior debut for Les Bleus during last month’s international break, has been named in the 23-man squad for France’s home fixture against Azerbaijan and their away game in Iceland, suggesting that the knock he sustained during Liverpool’s midweek Champions League defeat at Galatasaray may not be as serious as first feared.
Ekitike’s injury occurred midway through the second half in Istanbul, when he appeared to pull up while stretching for the ball. The £79million summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt was forced off after lengthy on-field treatment, with Alexis Mac Allister taking his place. Speaking after the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot was cautious over the severity of the striker’s problem but offered hope:
“He felt something when he had to reach for the ball, I think we all know which moment it was. When we were trying to force something, I thought I can’t get that long of a time, on the other side there was someone on the floor as well, the referee blew his whistle and I wasn’t really thinking that we had an injury, but Hugo felt something.”
While the initial scare had raised concerns, Ekitike reportedly believes he only suffered from cramp rather than a hamstring tear or strain.
James Pearce of The Athletic wrote on social media: “Hugo Ekitike confident he only had cramp in his hamstring rather than anything more serious.”
The striker’s subsequent call-up to Didier Deschamps’ squad adds further weight to the idea that he could be fit in time for Liverpool’s crucial Premier League clash at Chelsea.
Liverpool, however, are dealing with a raft of injury problems at a particularly delicate moment in the season. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker was forced off during the same game in Turkey with a potential hamstring injury sustained while attempting a vital save. Slot confirmed the Brazilian will miss the Chelsea fixture, stating:
“It is never positive if you go off like this. You can be sure that he is not playing on Saturday. We will see how long it takes but he definitely won’t play against Chelsea.
Alisson has also been omitted from Brazil’s international squad, indicating the problem could keep him sidelined for an extended period. His absence represents a major concern for Liverpool, who rely on the Brazilian as a key figure both in terms of shot-stopping and organisational influence at the back.
In addition to Alisson, Liverpool’s teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni is another long-term absentee, having undergone ACL surgery earlier this week.
Federico Chiesa, who missed the midweek clash in Turkey with a minor knock, is expected to return against Chelsea, offering some reassurance for Slot as he considers his team selection.
Liverpool’s recent form adds extra pressure. The Reds have suffered back-to-back defeats, first at Crystal Palace and then against Galatasaray in the Champions League, leaving them just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. The upcoming clash at Stamford Bridge represents not only an opportunity to regain momentum but also a crucial test of the squad’s resilience and depth amid injuries.
While the focus remains on Ekitike, Liverpool’s defensive concerns cannot be overlooked. The absence of both Alisson and Leoni means that backup goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and the remaining defensive options will need to step up against a Chelsea side that has proven to be potent in transition and on set pieces. Slot will need to carefully balance his lineup to maintain defensive stability while ensuring sufficient attacking threat.
Slot’s press conference on Friday at 9am UK time will offer further clarity on the fitness of his squad, including Ekitike and Chiesa. Until then, Liverpool fans can take cautious heart from the striker’s inclusion in France’s squad, which suggests he has recovered sufficiently to continue his momentum from a promising start to life at Anfield.
The Chelsea match represents not only a chance to climb back up the Premier League table but also an opportunity for Liverpool to send a message that they remain competitive despite recent setbacks.
